EV Ban Sparks Showdown as BARVIDA Warns of Street Protests

The government’s decision to halt imports of used and reconditioned Electric Vehicles (EV) has triggered a sharp backlash from the country’s automobile importers, with the sector’s leading trade body warning that the ban could hurt consumers, choke affordable green mobility and cost the government valuable revenue.

The Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA) has demanded an immediate restoration of the import facility, arguing that shutting the door on Japanese reconditioned EVs is against public interest and risks creating an uneven automobile market.

BARVIDA President Abdul Haque issued the warning at a press conference at Dhaka Club on Wednesday, saying the association would take to the streets if necessary to force a reconsideration of the decision.

“The import order for these vehicles must be restored. This issue concerns the interests of the people,” Haque said.

He questioned why Bangladesh should restrict used and reconditioned EVs from Japan when Japanese vehicles are exported to 71 countries, including the United Kingdom.

According to Haque, concerns over the safety and reliability of reconditioned vehicles are misplaced, pointing to the experience of hybrid cars in Bangladesh.

He said similar objections were raised when reconditioned hybrid vehicles were first introduced, but they subsequently gained widespread acceptance and now account for a significant share of vehicles in the domestic market.

Japanese reconditioned EVs, he argued, should receive similar treatment because they undergo established inspection procedures and come with manufacturer-backed guarantees.

Haque also claimed that EV batteries can remain operational for 15 to 16 years, depending on usage and maintenance, strengthening the case for allowing properly inspected used EVs into the country.

He said 29,349 electric vehicles were imported from Japan last year, adding that BARVIDA members were prepared to pay the required duties and taxes and contribute to government revenue while offering consumers more affordable environmentally friendly vehicles.

“We want to do this business in the public interest and contribute revenue to the government,” he said.

Haque also alleged that certain business groups were attempting to create a monopoly in the automobile market by promoting only new vehicles and restricting competition from reconditioned models.

BARVIDA is making the demand in cooperation with the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), urging the government to reconsider the policy in the interests of consumers.

Former BARVIDA President Abdul Mannan Chowdhury said EV imports should not be restricted merely to protect the interests of a particular group.

He said the association had already discussed the issue with the Commerce Ministry but claimed that its concerns had not been adequately considered.

BARVIDA Secretary General Reazur Rahman said the association fully supports the government’s ambition of building a “Green Bangladesh”, but argued that banning reconditioned EVs outright was not the answer.

Instead of an outright prohibition, BARVIDA has proposed a regulated import regime covering vehicle safety, battery condition, environmental standards and consumer protection.